Vegan Restaurants in Chicago, IL: Food & Brunch Guide

A proper vegan breakfast before the brunch crowd

Fancy Plants is a fully vegan cafe with savory breakfast food as well as pastries. The operator lists breakfast sandwiches using JUST Egg, breakfast burritos and bagels with cashew cream cheese and carrot lox. Soups, salads and sandwiches make it useful beyond a coffee-and-cake stop.

Before you order:The selection changes frequently. Check the counter for today's pastries and savory dishes rather than expecting every item pictured online. Plan a different restaurant for dinner: this is a daytime cafe.

Highlights: Vegan breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries and an early opening.

Plant-based comfort food with a dedicated brunch menu

Kale My Name's entirely plant-based menu moves between cauliflower wings, empanadas, jackfruit wraps and burgers. Its separate brunch menu includes tofu scramble, pancakes and cauliflower wings with waffles, giving you both sweet and savory options.

Before you order:The brunch menu is advertised for Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. The regular menu remains available; check the current brunch service window for your date. The 11:00 am opening makes this a later first meal, not an early breakfast.

Highlights: Vegan comfort food, tofu-based brunch and a choice of substantial mains.

A plant-based taqueria rather than a modified taco order

Penelope's describes its concept as 100% plant-based Mexican cooking focused on tacos and street-style food. The River North restaurant is a useful choice when you want a dedicated vegan kitchen instead of assembling a meal from conventional sides.

Before you visit:Use the River North location page for the current schedule and booking information. Penelope's also lists Andersonville and Pilsen restaurants; their addresses and service arrangements are not interchangeable.

Highlights: Vegan tacos, Mexican street-food cooking and a specific River North location.

Ramen, Korean rice bowls and a vegan dinner menu

Alice & Friends serves fully vegan dishes inspired by several Asian cuisines. The operator's menu includes roasted sesame miso ramen, dol sot bibimbap with smoked tofu, Burmese noodle salad and banh mi. It is a dinner-focused stop on most weekdays, with earlier weekend service.

Before you visit:The Chicago restaurant is walk-in only and closes on Tuesdays. Last seating is 30 minutes before closing; the kitchen stops 15 minutes before closing. Select Edgewater when ordering, not the separate Glenview or Oak Park locations.

Highlights: A fully vegan selection of noodles, rice bowls and Asian-inspired mains.

Plant-based soul food on the South Side

Soul Veg City's operator describes a kitchen cooking exclusively with plants. The current menu includes jerk-seitan nachos, an Italian V sandwich, kale greens with cornbread and vegetable dishes. Familiar chicken and steak names refer to plant-based preparations within this vegan concept.

Before you visit:Check the day's hours directly, particularly Monday and Tuesday. The site's introductory text and detailed hours table disagree for those two days. Treat this as a separate Chatham stop rather than a quick detour between the North Side restaurants.

Highlights: Vegan soul food, seitan sandwiches and a South Side lunch option.

A meat-free diner with a clear vegan ordering route

The Chicago Diner combines vegan and vegetarian comfort food. Its operator highlights plant-based pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls and other brunch dishes, but also lists egg choices. That distinction matters: meat-free does not mean every possible order is vegan.

How to order vegan:Request the vegan preparation, choosing tofu rather than eggs wherever alternatives are offered. Confirm the whole plate and accompaniments. Brunch is served daily until 3:00 pm; use the current Lakeview waitlist rather than assuming a reservation has been made.

Highlights: Vegan diner dishes and daily brunch at the Halsted Street restaurant.